Since my father passed, I've thrown away at least two tons of his belongings.

This isn't hyperbole or exaggeration. I emptied a trailer of 1.15 tons of trash just this weekend, and that's after multiple smaller trips.

Glad I've been downsizing my own junk for years now.

Me: I'd like the ring back.

Her: What are you going to do with it?

Me: Take it to Mount Doom.

I was told recently that my actions had 'signaled' something.

You've met me, right? You know I don't signal. I state outright and rarely leave my opinions in doubt.

I've never been accused of subtlety.

I'm learning to unmask, and I'm trying to recapture the ability to hyperfocus.

I made a choice to shun this ability decades ago and I'm just now understanding what it's cost me.

I'm putting on my headphones for a while. Don't disturb me.

Three weeks ago I made a decision that finally broke the depression I've been struggling with for the last five years.

Every day this week I've gotten more done by noon than I used to struggle to get done in a full week.

I'm sure there will be bad days in the future, but the primary cause has been excised from my life.

"How much of me is allowed in this room at one time?"

Best one sentence description of masking I've heard.